Posts filed under ‘Party Planning’

I recently read that hospitality is the art of making others feel welcome, comfortable, and at home. It’s the talent for spreading warmth and kindness that will always be remembered.

This is my philosophy when it comes to gathering friends and family, this is what my work is based upon. I love that big companies like Chinet agree.

You know, being “social” is more than just liking, sharing and tagging in online social feeds. Chinet invites us to remember what being social used to mean. To me this is evidence that the art of hospitality may be making a come back. Enjoy their new TV campaign and remember to #besocial.

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I don’t think I really appreciated all a mother is until I became one. Even then, I experienced anger and resentment towards my mother more than anything else in the beginning. I started raising my own children and suddenly I saw the things that didn’t work about my own upbringing, the flaws, the seeming mistakes that were made. But then, one day all that disappeared. I woke up and realized there are no accidents, every lesson good or bad brought me here to this moment and made me what I am today. I have a deep and rich understanding of the sacrifices, the giving, the non-judgement and the unconditional love that my mother had for me growing up, and has for me today as a grown woman.

Mother’s Day is coming up and I invite you to do something special for your mother. This 2-minute video clip will help you come up with something tailor made just for her, whether it’s a party, brunch or a gift. It’s a little exercise I like to call “Filling the Senses” and it’s designed to provide happiness. The perfect gift to give a mom!

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We had an earthquake in Southern California a little after 6 am this morning, and my first thought was, “Is this the big one?” My next thought as my bed was rocking, “I’m so grateful for the time I’ve had here on earth!”

How interesting that on this 2012 Thanksgiving morning Mother Earth would shake things up a bit perhaps to remind us just how precious life is and just how limited our time together might be.

Rather than play it safe again this year around the Thanksgiving table (my family isn’t big on sharing themselves or praying), I’ve decided to do more than just a “thank you for coming toast.” Perhaps this year we’ll start with a gratitude toast straight from the heart to set the tone for the evening, and to make each person feel welcomed and apart of something special.

I’ll also have my guests write what their grateful for down on paper before we sit down for dinner. The kids can collect them in a basket, and between dinner and dessert (my family likes to eat while the food is hot) we’ll have each person pull a slip of paper from the basket and read it aloud. This will save folks the embarrassment of having to share their own feelings, and yet still infuses some soul into the event.

So that’s what I’ll do today with my family, but with you my friends and readers I’d like to say how grateful I am for you right here and now. Grateful for you tuning in and reading my deeper ways of connecting, playing and celebrating. As Reverend Angela says, “Thank you for your spiritual bravery in stepping away from the status quo and daring to live a larger life, a spacious life wherein you claim your divine right to all that you can imagine.” That’s what its all about for me. As we step into our own light, we allow others to do the same. Thanks for playing big with me and for that I am so deeply grateful.

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If you’re running low on inspiration for your Independence Day celebration, here are some quick ideas for easy 4th of July centerpieces. Notice the everyday containers used? I’m sure you have something laying around the house that would work just as well. And yes, food can make a great centerpiece, especially when it’s this cute!

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When I was younger and single, I often fantasized about being shipwrecked on a deserted island along with scantily clad castaways and a band of handsome, swashbuckling and marauding pirates. I don’t know. Perhaps it was the result of watching The Blue Lagoon or the Pirate Movie too many times as a tweenager, or taking Rex Smith too seriously in his Pirates of Penzance role. It might also have had something to do with being a child of the 80s and LOVING the new-romantic look. (Despite what the Seinfeld friends have said…Pirate Shirts rock!).

I often thought my teenage fantasy would make a great party theme and this month on “Shelby’s Secrets to a Great Party!” I’ll be sharing with you the six elements to creating a “family” version of a shipwreck party. In the meantime, here are some deserted island ideas that aren’t appropriate for the whole family, but would be great fun for the adults.

Invitations – Request that everyone come dressed in their skimpiest stranded island or sexiest pirate costumes. Hold a contest and award prizes for the best costume, the smallest costume, the best chest, the hottest legs, and for the most likely to invade.

Decor & Ambiance – Consider having your party on the beach. There’s nothing like a little sand between your toes and the fresh sea air to get a sultry party started.

Food & Beverage – A “Shot Luge” is a must! If not that, body shots at the very least. (Be sure to check out this month’s recipe for “Blue Lagoon” and consider “Tan Titi’s” for your shots. The Tan Titi’s coconut rum, vodka and pineapple juice will go nicely with the two rums in the Blue Lagoon.)

Activities – A live island music band would absolutely pump up the fun to a whole new level, but a DJ or recorded dance or pirate music that includes songs like Sea Cruise, Gilligan’s Island Theme, Limbo Rock, and Day-O The Banana Boat Song would be great too. (Don’t forget to check out this month’s iMix playlist for a fun selection of party tunes!) Be sure to encourage slow dances. Have a “Dirty Dancing” contest for couples, a limbo contest, and even a hula hoop contest performed in grass skirts and coconut bras, of course. Again, be sure to award prizes for the best and worst performance.

For a fun game idea be sure to check out this month’s “Ask Shelby” column under the RSVP Club tab. If you’re not a member yet, it’s easy, just choose a user name and password.

Special Touches – Just because you’re throwing a sexy, alcohol-filled adult party doesn’t mean it can’t have heart too! As the host or hostess, give your guests a special memento of the evening like a group photo to take home or better yet, give them something to wear and enjoy during the party. A favor bag full of personal items is another fun idea. Who couldn’t use mints, sunglasses or a shot glass necklace?

As with all my Party Plans for YouCanPlanAParty.com, this one is intended to inspire you! Considering your friends (and family) and your party style, do what works best for you. Mix and match these ideas with the ideas from this month’s videos and add a few of your own, and you’re sure to create a party people will be talking about long after they’ve returned to civilization!

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If you’re taking Mom out to a restaurant with a group tomorrow…here’s a great way to make it special and honor Mom as the special guest – Photo Menu or Seating Cards. See how we made these and get the template in the RSVP Club’s “How To” section for FREE at YouCanPlanAParty.com. This special touch is sure to add a festive touch to any gathering!

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Shelby L. Phillips

As an intuitive transformational messenger of hope, a communicative wife of 25 years, and an open-hearted mother of two, I take pleasure in telling good news stories, connecting people to the seven dimensions of well-being, and inspiring us to love ourselves and each other because life really is worth celebrating! Find out more about me at ShelbyPhillipsConnects.com